Buckeye Blogger Network
We Blew It!
The revolving door that is known as the Top 25 continued to revolve this week. 4 of the 5 Top 5 teams all loss, including Kansas who has now lost three in a row. In addition to the top 5 teams laying an egg, 14 of the 25 teams lost at least one game this week, with 5 of them not even picking up a single win. All was not bad though in the Top 25 world. There were several great games and several overtime games, including a stunning 5 overtime in the Big East. The Miami Hurricanes continued to come on like gang-busters and very well could be in the Top 5 when all is said is done with the polls this week. This week doesn’t look like it will let us down as there are quite a few Top 25 matchups and tough games against un-ranked opponents. Only time will tell how this week will end up but in the meantime, I am just going to sit back and enjoy one of the most exciting college basketball seasons that I can remember.
Here’s a look at the Top 25 Week Ahead and Week in Review
1. Indiana (20-3, 8-2) Previous Rank: 3
Past Week: 2/7 @ Illinois, L 72-74
Upcoming: 2/10 @ (10) Ohio State & 2/13 Nebraska & 2/16 Purdue
The Hoosiers were the latest Number One team to fall. A beautifully ran inbounds play by Illinois sunk Indiana. It doesn’t get any easier this week as they travel to Columbus to face the Buckeyes.
2. Florida (19-3, 9-1) Previous Rank: 4
Past Week: 2/5 @ Arkansas, L 69-80 & 2/9 Mississippi State, W 83-58
Upcoming: 2/12 Kentucky & 2/16 @ Auburn
Florida lost its chance to be the top ranked team with a loss to Arkansas earlier this week. A trip to Lexington to face Kentucky could spell out another loss this week. Read More
Tayler Hill looked good in returning to action after an illness, leading OSU to their first Big Ten win of the year.
Its only mid-January but for the Ohio State women’s basketball team tonight’s game against Indiana was a must win. An 0-4 start to Big Ten play, the worst in the history of the program, had led to OSU being dropped from the national rankings and had essentially destroyed any realistic hopes of winning a Big Ten title. Starting with tonight’s game the Buckeyes were battling for a first day bye in the Big Ten tournament and an NCAA tournament berth. OSU got a boost heading into this game as Tayler Hill and Maleeka Kynard both returned to action after sitting out last game due to illness.
Ohio State did not get off to a good start as they missed their first six shots from the field, taking more than three and a half minutes to hit their first field goal. Fortunately Indiana wasn’t really shooting any better and at the first television timeout the game was tied at 2 points for each team. The Hoosiers scored the first four points out of that tv timeout but then the Buckeyes responded with a 10 to 2 run to take a 12-8 lead with eleven minutes remaining in the half. Indiana quickly retook the lead with a 9 to 2 run of their own before OSU countered with six straight points to go ahead 20-17 with five minutes on the clock. The two teams would essentially trade baskets for the rest of the half with the Buckeyes managing to extend their lead to 30-24 as the teams headed to the locker rooms.
Walk-On Alex Barlow hit the most critical shot of the season so far.
Ok…..so they weren’t the only ones to lose this week but it’s always fun to say the number one team lost unless it’s the Buckeyes! This past week featured no newcomers to the dance but did feature some games that will surely mix things up in the Top 25 and probably make some room for one or two new teams. Looking ahead to this upcoming week two feature matchups put (9) Kansas traveling to meet our 7th ranked Buckeyes and (10) Illinois visiting (12) Missouri. There are some other interesting games as well so let’s dive in!
Here’s a look at the Top 25 Week Ahead and Week in Review.
1. Indiana (9-1) Previous Rank: 1
Past Week: 12/15 Butler, L 86-88 OT
Upcoming: 12/19 Mount Saint Mary’s & 12/21 Florida Atlantic
Indiana brought their home cooking to the road this week but couldn’t overcome Butler as they lost to the Bulldogs in OT! No worries though they face no one that can challenge them this week though.
Read More
Even though the week featured many blowouts and easy wins, this week’s Top 25 has many changes to it from the previous week. Two teams dropped out of the polls, including a Top 10 team disappearing from the nation’s top teams. This week’s action also only featured one loss to any of the current Top 25 teams (it would have been two if Colorado decided to get off the plane in Kansas). The upcoming week only features one Top 25 matchup when (6) Florida travels to (8) Arizona but does feature some possible upset alerts (We’re looking at you Purdue and West Virginia).
Here’s a look at the Top 25 Week Ahead and Week in Review.
Still On Top
1. Indiana (9-0) Previous Rank: 1
Past Week: 12/8 Central Connecticut State, W 100-69
Upcoming: 12/15 Butler
Indiana cruised to a victory over Central Connecticut State but this week’s Butler team will be a tougher challenge for the Hoosiers
2. Duke (9-0) Previous Rank: 2
Past Week: 12/8 Temple, W 90-67
Upcoming: No Games This Week
The Blue Devils didn’t have any let downs after an emotional win against Ohio State in walloping Temple. This week they look to rest a little bit with an off week
3. Michigan (9-0) Previous Rank: 3
Past Week: 12/4 Western Michigan, W 73-41 & 12/8 Arkansas, W 80-67
Upcoming: 12/11 Binghamton & 12/15 @West Virginia
The Wolverines were challenged from time by Arkansas but pulled away in the end to defeat the Razorbacks. They travel to Morgantown to meet upset-minded West Virginia.
4. Syracuse (8-0) Previous Rank: 6
Past Week: 12/3 Eastern Michigan, W 84-48 & 12/6 Long Beach State, W 84-53 & 12/8 Monmouth, W 108-56
Upcoming: 12/15 Canisius
Syracuse continues the cream puff part of their schedule as Jim Boeheim works toward becoming the third coach in history with 900 wins.
5. Louisville (8-1) Previous Rank: 6
Past Week: 12/4 @Charleston, W 80-38 & 12/8 Missouri-Kansas City, W 99-47
Upcoming: 12/15 @Memphis
Not much to speak of with Louisville either, as they breezed past their two opponents this past week and Memphis probably won’t be much different.
6. Florida (7-0) Previous Rank: 7 Read More
This past week featured some prime time match-ups. It also gave us the Big Ten/ACC Challenge and Big East/SEC Challenge. A major top ten power player loses major ground and the “Mid-Majors” tried to hold their own. This week the Top 25 takes a lighter schedule in hopes to regroup after the previous week’s battle scars. Here’s a look at the Top 25 Week Ahead and Week in Review.
1. Indiana (8-0) Previous Rank: 1
Past Week: 11/27 North Carolina, W 83-59 & 12/1 Coppin State, W 87-51
Upcoming: 12/8 Central Connecticut State
The Hoosiers are coming off a big win against the Tar Heels in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. They look to continue their undefeated season as heavy favorites against Central Connecticut State
#2 Hosts #4
2. Duke (8-0) Previous Rank: 5
Past Week: 11/28 Ohio State, W 73-68 & 12/1 Delaware, 88-50
Upcoming: 12/8 Temple
Duke battled back in the second half to knock of Ohio State at Cameron Indoor. Neither team played exceptionally well but in the end the Cameron Crazies left happy.
3. Michigan (7-0) Previous Rank: 4
Past Week: 11/27 (18) N.C. State, W 79-72 & 12/1 Bradley, W 74-66
Upcoming: 12/4 Western Michigan & 12/8 Arkansas
In another intriguing Big Ten/ACC Challenge match up the Wolverines knocked off the Wolf Pack to hand N.C. State their second loss on the season.
4. Ohio State (5-1) Previous Rank: 3
Past Week: 11/28 @ (2) Duke, L 68-73 & 12/1 Northern Kentucky, W 70-43
Upcoming: 12/8 Long Beach State
The Buckeyes couldn’t overcome a poor night of shooting in their loss to Duke but followed up the loss with a commanding win over Northern Kentucky.
5. Louisville (6-1) Previous Rank: 2
Past Week: 12/1 Illinois State, W 69-66
Upcoming: 12/4 @Charleston & 12/8 Missouri-Kansas City
Coming off a loss to Duke the Cardinals looked to punish Illinois State, instead they had to survive a scare to improve to 6-1. Read More
As we head into the final weekend of B1G play before the title game next weekend, the Buckeyes sit atop the Leaders Division all alone after clinching on the road at Madison. Not exactly the way the Buckeyes envisioned winning, but they got it done in OT. Let’s take a look at the results from last weekend across the conference.
Nerds @ Sparty. Prediction Sparty 23 to 20; Right score, WRONG team, Nerds
Hawkeyes @ TTUN. Prediction Hawkeyes 21 to 17; WRONG TTUN 42 to 17
Hoosiers @ Penn State. Prediction PSU 34 to 32; RIGHT PSU 45 to 22
Purdue @ Illinois. Prediction Boilers 26 to 13; RIGHT Boilers 20 to 17
Minnesota @ Nebraska. Prediction Cornhuskers 39 to 13; RIGHT 38 to 14
#6 Ohio State @ Wiscy. Prediction Buckeyes all the way; RIGHT 21 to 14 OT
It is rivalry week this week all across the B1G and there’s really only one game everybody cares about and thats the Buckeyes hosting TTUN. The wolverweenies still have a shot at the title game if Iowa upsets Nebraska and the Sun and Blue upset the Buckeyes in the Shoe. Dont believe that’s gonna happen personally so we will see Nebraska and Wiscy in the title game next week. The best match-up of the week is Wiscy at Penn State. Do the Badgers lose to bowl ineligibles in back to back weeks?
Roastnears v. Ethanol Corn. Nebraska @ Iowa. Friday. Iowa isn’t going bowling after being a surprise early in the season after starting the B1G on a roll. This will be a snoozer in Iowa City on Friday as Nebraska will simply be tuning up for the B1G Championship game against Wiscy. Cornhuskers 31 to 14
The Land of Lincoln Trophy. Illini @ Nerds. This really won’t be much of a battle this year. What will be interesting is to see just how hard the Illini try to keep from losing all of their B1G games. Nerds are bowl eligible and were atleast in the B1G discussion at one point this season. If the conference refuses to give the COTY award to Coach Meyer, then Fitzgerald should probably get it. Nerds 24 to 17
Old Oaken Bucket. Indiana @ Purdue. The Boilers and Hoosiers both want to get this season over with as soon as possible. Only the Biolers have an outside shot at getting to a bowl game if they win this game. The Hoosiers have had a good season by their standards but their basketball team is #1 in the nation and are alot more fun to watch I am sure. Hoosiers 21 to 20
For 4th in the Legends. Sparty @ Minny. What a disappointing and uncharacteristic season it has been for the Spartans who may not make it to a bowl this year. Minny is already bowl eligible and might have the other coach for COTY consideration in Jerry Kill. Tough one to call. Sparty 20 to 17
Does it Matter? Wiscy @ Penn State. Had a tough time deciding what I would even say about this game because Phillips and Beilema are still crying over last week. Wiscy hasn’t needed to worry about winning the last two weeks, just try not to get embarassed before the title game against either Nebraska or TTUN. Too late Badgers, its happened and Penn State isn’t gonna make things easier. O’brien stirred things up with a non-committed answer to will he be back last week but it’s a chance to send a message to future recruits that they are going to compete. PSU 24 to 21
THE Game. TTUN @ THE Ohio State University. What can I say about this game that hasn’t already been said? Well, there’s this . . , I hate TTUN more than I have hated any other team of any team I root for. That includes the 49ers, Braves and Lakers. It is all about this week, period.
The Leaves have it
The Buckeyes are on the cusp of something pretty rare in Ohio State history. Only nine times before have the Buckeyes celebrated an undefeated season, and only one time have they lost this game at home when heading into THE Rivalry game undefeated(96). No score prediction as usual but the Buckeyes will take care of business and do something for Coach Meyer that none of his Gator teams could do, give him an undefeated season. Perfect. Buckeyes in a romp!
The national race got destroyed this past week thanks to Baylor and Stanford. The odd thing about this whole thing is the fact that the #1 and #2 teams lost to the teams that had the #1 and #2 overall draft picks last year(Luck and Griffin). The entire nation was upset with both Oregon and Kansas State because now we have Notre Lame and Alabama atop the rankings.
National Race This Week. #1 Notre Lame 11-0; #2 Alabama 10-1 (6-1); #3 Georgia 8-1 (6-1) ;#4 Florida 10-1 (7-1) ; #5 Ohio State 11-0 (7-0)
As bad as I hate to admit it, I actually called the upset of Oregon at the hands of the Cardinal last week. #13 Stanford @ #2 Oregon. Prediction Stanford 35 to 31, RIGHT Stanford 17 to 14 OT.
As Rivalries go, there isn’t anything better than The Game coming up between our beloved Buckeyes and TTUN. The Iron Bowl between Auburn and Alabama has been a close rivalry over the years but this year will be a snoozer. The Red River Shootout is one of the best but it takes place in the middle of the season.
When you talk about tradition, and honor, as well as uniquely serving our country as officers when they’re done. Army versus Navy has been happening as long as any of them. Unfortunately they don’t play until December 8th. Lets take a look at a rivalry that could have a national impact.
Civil War could have a national impact
The Civil War. Oregon @ Oregon State. They’ve been playing since 1894 and have met 115 times with Oregon holding the advantage 59-46-10. The game got its name in the late 20′s and has been a heated rivalry over the years. Oregon still has an opportunity to win out and get some help back to the top. But its a tall task to expect Notre Lame to fall to USC, and Alabama to lose to Auburn or in the SEC title game. Oregon State has some nice wins this season and this would be the cherry on top of it. Ducks 42 to 34
Where It Belongs
Aside from the Ohio State-Wisconsin overtime thriller, it was a pretty boring week across the Big Ten stage. But, now it is the week of “The Game,” so nothing else really matters.
The Buckeyes defeated the Badgers 21-14 in overtime to move to 11-0 on the season, and have officially won the Leaders Division outright. Ohio State is ineligible to play in the B1G Championship Game, however, so Wisconsin will be representing the Legends side by default.
Let’s take a look at how the rest of the conference fared in the second-to-final weekend of the season.
Northwestern finally held onto a lead. The Wildcats have lost three games this season by a combined 19 points, all of which were blown fourth quarter leagues. It seemed like they were headed for another fourth quarter disaster last Saturday against Michigan State, but Northwestern hung on for a 23-20 victory.
Penn State earned its seventh victory of the season by defeating Indiana 45-22. In what many thought would be a down year for the Nittany Lions, it really is impressive that they have a shot at eight wins if they can defeat Wisconsin next weekend.
Nebraska kept its hopes alive to represent the Legends Division in the B1G Championship game as it defeated Minnesota 38-14. A Nebraska win against Iowa on Friday would wrap up the division for the Huskers.
It appears like Illinois will go winless in the Big Ten this season. The Illini fell to Purdue 20-17, and unless they can pull off an upset win over Northwestern this weekend, Illinois will finish the season just 2-10 overall and 0-8 in the conference. Talk about brutal.
Yeah, I didn’t mention that other team’s game for a reason.
Go Bucks.
It’s a great thing that I decided to stop keeping record of my success, or lack there of, according to the weekly weak picks. I was on my way to my first ever ‘ofer and was saved by the Cornhuskers.
#24 Northwestern @ TTUN. Prediction Nerds 21 to 17; WRONG TTUN 38-31
Purdue @ Iowa. Prediction Iowa 16 to 10; WRONG BOILERS 27 TO 24
Minnesota @ Illinois. Prediction Illinois 31 to 14; WRONG MINNY 17 TO 3
Wiscy @ Indiana. Prediction Hoosiers 21 to 20
; WRONG WISCY 62 TO 14
Penn State @ #16 Nebraska. Prediction Nebraska 31 to 17; RIGHT NEBRASKA 32 TO 23
Here’s one last look at the national race prior to the toppling of . . , oh wait, BAMA really didn’t fall out of the top five like they should have after losing at home to a new SEC team. aTm may have done all of us a favor but they didn’t really do it any good as all BAMA has to do is win out and they’re back in. Youre welcome Notre Lame haters.
National Race Last Week. #1 Alabama 9-0 (6-0); #2 Kansas State 9-0 (6-0); #3 Oregon 9-0 (6-0); #4 Notre Lame 9-0; #5 Georgia 8-1 (6-1).
#15 Texas A&M @ #1 Alabama. Prediction Tide 42 to 21. WRONG aTm 29 to 24
Now that we’re in the home stretch of the college football season and ready to play the most important game on the Buckeyes schedule(this week), lets take a look at this week for all of the B1G. Keep in mind that Wiscy is already headed back to the B1G title game in Indy, and the Buckeyes have clinched at least a tie for the Leaders division title via their two game lead in the division.
Nerds @ Sparty. Nothing on the line here as Sparty really has two weeks to become bowl eligible. The Nerds lost a heart-breaker last weekend at the hands of TTUN and back up QB Devin Gardner. I see a pretty good defensive game unfolding early but Sparty needs this win. Sparty 23 to 20
Hawkeyes @ TTUN. The Hawkeyes aren’t going bowling this year. They have played well in almost all of their games and have chances to win them but a little is a little to late. TTUN will not get caught looking ahead this week as they did last week, or maybe they will? Hawkeyes 21 to 17
Hoosiers @ Penn State. The hoosiers need to win their last two games to live up to some of the hype they created for themselves. At different times this season they have looked like giant killers, and well other times they just looked like a football team at a basketball school. PSU cannot go bowling until later this decade and are playing for pride. PSU 34 to 32
Purdue @ Illinois. This is the battle of the week, or maybe not really, but it will decide who is the bottom dweller trophy winner until next season in the B1G. Boilers have had their moments where they looked like the team that upset the Buckeyes at home last year(verified by the students who stormed the field) and the rest of the time they have struggled. Illinois and head coach Beckman just wnt the season over with so they can get started on rebuilding. Boilers 26 to 13
Minnesota @ Nebraska. The Cornhuskers are the team that I believed they were and will represent the Legends division in the B1G title game against Wiscy in Indy. They had one game they’d like to forget this season and it was their trip to Columbus. They have all but wiped the slate clean and save for the Buckeyes, are the best team the B1G has to offer. Minnesota is bowl eligible, but that is about it for this game. Cornhuskers 39 to 13
#6 Ohio State @ Wiscy. The Buckeyes are 10-0(6-0) and have already clinched at least a share of the Leaders Division title, which is all they can really win this season. We learned this week from Coach Meyer that going undefeated and the AP title was never a part of the team goals discussion. They wanted to go win as many games as they could for the seniors and to take care of the game at hand this week. What that means is absolutely no talking about the game rapidly approaching(TTUN) wink, wink. No matter what the coaches say, the players have all but confirmed this week that there is plenty bad blood between these two schools and as far as football goes, it is the secondary rivalry for both. Still wont predict scores for the team that I love but suffice it to say, the Buckeyes won’t need a last minute hail mary. Buckeyes all the way.
Kansas State is atop the National polls and have Baylor on the road this week. Oregon is the only top 5 that has a true test against Stanford and Georgia basically has a bye week taking on Georgia Southern. Notre Lame has Wake Forrest (go Jim Grobe!) and BAMA hosts Western Carolina (YAWN).
National Race This Week. #1 Kansas State 10-0 (7-0); #2 Oregon 10-0 (7-0); #3 Notre Lame 10-0; #4 Alabama 9-1 (6-1); #5 Georgia 8-1 (6-1). #6 Ohio State
#13 Stanford @ #2 Oregon. Stanford has an opportunity just like aTm did last week and they have the defense to do it as well. The trick will be to get out early and to slow the Ducks down at a pace they can deal with. Marriota and Snoop Dog’s nephew are having fun running that offense so the Cards have to take the fun out of it and quickly. Definitely the game of the week nationally and should be a good one. Stanford 35 to 31
